The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-10-26

OUR ALASKAN CLAIMS.
We Will Protect the Fisheries in Cul
Arctic Seas
(FrOm INC Ncw Yorll SUM-

W. "''' iiotcSt 'ito EiShcTtes III SsI
Arctic Seas
(From the New York SUM
a great deal Of surprise was occasionc,
at the department. OF State by the al
legation of Canadian and Englisl
officials that this country has rcpcatt Ill,
disputed tho Russian Government
claim of Marc Clnlsum in Behring's Sea
and, moreover, that the seal tisheric.
were the cause of such dispute At tht
State department no record OF an,
difficulty regarding the seal fisherie,
with Russia can be found. Early in th,
present century Russia claimed terrific
ry i'll Northwestern North America down
to the fifty degree, Which this Gov
ernmcnt warmly disputed. After some
controversy o. the subject the Russian
Emperor withdrew his claim and nc.
knowledged the United States authority
up to the fifty-fourth degree. 1t was at
this time that Russian officials laid down
such arbitrary rules for navigation in
Alaskan waters. No vessel WAS permitted
to sell within one hundred Italian miles
OF coast or islands, under penalty OF
contiscatlon and imprisonment. Very
few American vessels ever sailed in the
locality. and scaling was an almost un-
'N"S"'' iiuuOllJ Ihc1c WAS one
small Kusslan company that shipped II
lew skins to various parts, and the navi-
CATION law was meant to protect it.
Later, several trading vessels from the
United cruiscd in the vicinity Of Alaska.
bat were warned of by the Russian
officials. 1t was Mt this time that John
Quincy Adans, the secretary of State, in
very energetic manner, denied tho
Russian right to certain territory, now
the southern strip of Alaska. MIR.
Adams radical course secured the United
States tho right in Alaskan waters.
When Alaska was ccdcd to the United
States the line OF lcmarkatiOn detclm.
lnlng tho western boundary OF Behring's
Sea made 1t ut Mare Clausum, from the
southernmost point on Prince Edwards
Island so point near Alton Island of
the Aleutian grant, thus making n com
plcto close. The imaginary line of de-
narration runs course OF about 900
miles from northeast to southwest. The
Whole area OF Behring's Sea, including
Norton's Sound, and Bristol Bay, is
ABOUT OOO,OOO square miles. The ST.
George and st. Paul Islands, where most
OF tie seal are captured, arc about seven
hundred miles north Of the Alcutian
fehlhsllla and five hundred miles west
OF the main line of coasL. The scoI nrr
frequently found now several hnndrnd
miles from shore, and are gradually
working their wov tn thn nerth,vnri
The experts say that this fact is due to
the use of firearms of the Canadian
scalcrS. Should genuine stampede
arise among tho seals it is extremely
doubtful II any wOuri return for breed
ing purposes. Large uumbyrs OF thc
young seals are swimming toward Ihn
mainland, passing through the AIcut;nn
group and lul ing on Canadian soil.
Inquiry was mnIr NJ thn rovn,ro
marine Office to-day ns to vhut was
thought oi the statement that a swjii
vessel was fitting out at Halifax with
good armament to engage in the seal
fisheries, and that ii the revenue cutt,r
Rush or any other cruieer ATTEMPTED 70
interfere there would be a naval rDranc-
ment. ave are not inclined to believe
that story" said the chief, "but | will
say that never knew the officers OF the
revenue marine to fail in doing their
duty. OF course if any vessel nyipq the
British or any other flag is discovered
seal fishing in Behring's Sea it will ho
the duty of the Rush to demand her sur
render If the scaor refuses our officers
will make the capture by force and sink
ncr If necessary. The Rush carries a
good battery and can make pretty good
fight"
The probi bilitics are that if the dini
be three cruisers in Bchrings Sea in the